Cong on a strong wicket, says YSR

Cong on a strong wicket, says YSR
GUNTUR: Chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy on Friday exuded confidence of his party's winning chances, stating that it was on a strong wicket despite the huge response to Chiranjeevi's Praja Ankita Yatras and TDP's Yuvagarjana meeting. "Crowds are not the only indicator of leaders and parties. For that matter, our victory in the last elections was based on a whole lot of issues and it won't change this time too," said the chief minister, a day after his successful tour to the Palnadu region in Guntur district.
YSR claimed the Congress would romp home with 230 seats in the 2009 elections. Sharpening his criticism against Chiranjeevi, he said the people would not believe a person who hasn't spent a single rupee for the development of his home district. "The people look up to leaders of real intent to serve them," he said, taking a dig at Chiranjeevi's claims of serving the people.
In an informal chat with select mediapersons here on Friday, the chief minister indicated that he might drop even his loyal legislators if their performance does not match up to the people's expectations. "There could be some ministers too who could be dropped. Winning elections is the only criteria to get party ticket," the CM asserted.
YSR said there is a `genuine urge' among the people to vote back his government. "We have done something for everyone, which no one can dispute. We are sure of garnering 50 per cent vote share and nobody can stop us from our victory march," he asserted.
YSR said contrary to PRP's claims, Chiranjeevi's popularity among the commoners is on the wane. "We came across this fact after a survey was conducted on the film star's tour in north-coastal districts," he said.